The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-01
A WOMAN'S STORY.

1t had been q sultry day and there
was storm brewing. The sky was
cloven at intervals by sullen flashes
of lightning. The fisher folk had haul
ed high on the sands such lighter craft
as had languidly fringed the shore
few hours before.
The party of people at the Ker cot.
tage had broken up and divided itself.
Most OF the ladies had taken refuge in
doors. The more adventurous who
had remained without sat silently
watching the sea.
"Storms in this region are so severe"
moaned a lady at Frank Pendleton's
side. He was leaning in the open win
dow.
'4ou are not afraid-not nervous?"
asked the Count de la Croix's deep
voice of some one in the gloom.
"No." said Gwendolen Ker's clear
dist.nct tones in reply.
Frank moved a little.
ooh, Mr.. Pendleton Won't you
close the Window" pleaded the lady
next him.
A binding flash rent the air, and
simultaneously with it came deafen-
ing peal. The ladies gave one shrek
and flew into the adjoining and inner
room. A rush OF wind, which futtered
all the curtains, blew out some can
dies in sconce. A lamp fared.
Frank, Fastening to it, turned it rap.
idly. The next moment he found him.
self in darkness.
He approached the window again.
The flashes were growing more fire..
quent Peal followed peal. The wind
and the sea were rising. The name
less apprehension which had weighed
upon him all day, joined with this
disturbance of all the elements, set
the young mans usually steady
nerves quivering. No sound came
from the veranda now. He thought
that all must have entered the house
in the confusion few moments ago.
Even as the thought crossed his
mind steady glare illumined the in
closed space before him with the clear
ness OF day. Every object stood out.
for the flash of an eye, clear-cut and
distinct. A hand seemed to clutch at
Frank Pendleton's heart. He had seen
the man who called himself De la Crolx
as he leaned forward from the railing
against which he stood. He had seen
the dark, keen, aquillne profile, the up
per part OF the long, supple body, bent
toward the low chair where the con-
tour of woman's form was sharply
outlined in black in the blush light.
And he had seen Gwendolen's up.
turned face-with such c. look upon it
as burned itself into his soul.
That night dire tragedy befell the
house OF Ker. It's only daughter dis
appeared.
Mr.. Ker caused every blind to be
closed as though for death. To the
distracted mother he gavea command
never again, in his presence, to speak
his daughters name.
All the inheritance which should
have been hers was willed away into
other channels. And Gwendelon Ker
for years an heiress, a "leader," the
queen, and beauty of every gathering,
the darling OF these two proud old
people-after bearing the opprobrium
of nine days wonder and sc andal,
dropped out OF the life that had
known her as completely as though
death had passed over her roof and
claimed her for his own.
A ball was being given tonight at
the house OF a high official. To q
young North American lately arrived
in this South American republic
naval officer and compatriot had ex.
tended an invitation procured at
headquarters.
"Oh, you must come, Pendleton,"
urged the officer. "You will see some
queer people and some queer Gus
TOMS"
Frank went.
1t was crowded ball. There were
number OF uniforms which gave life
and briIliance to the scene, and
number of pretty women, with deadly
white skins and black eyes which
seemed very expressive until they had
been looked at twice or thrice. But
the occasion seemed lacking in anima-
ton. Or was it that to his jaded
spirits all things now failed to appeal
strongly.
Standing at one end OF the long
room he became nervously concious
after time of a glance fixed intently
upon him. He had always been very
sensitive to such impressions. He
finally turned uneasily, and his eyes
met the direct gaze OF a woman in
white with q quantity OF diamonds
shining about her.
He stood still while one might count
five. Then he crossed the room.
81 was wondering whether you
would come" said d clear, neverto-
be.forgotten voice. "You did not
seem to be enjoying yourself over
there. Don't you like our style of en-
tertainments? thought l would look
at you very steadily q few moments
and see if you would feel it and turn.
remember of yore your popularity
in that respect"
The woman was at her ease, but the
man could not find g word. And
when at last he spoke it was to say
what most he would have liked to
have left unsaid.
''To think of meeting you like this,
| Gwendolen!"
The old familiar name by which he
had called her since childhood escaped
from his lips unawares.
The first faint tr ace OF color swept
over her still, white, magnlficently
regular face.
"Don't be dramatic, Frank, why
should you be? And don't rake up the
past. Have you seen my husband
yet? There he is talking to the hand
some woman in yellow"
II see Count de la Croix, yes"
"Not Count de la Croix now" she
amended imperturbably. HE is
known as plain Monsieur Armand
here. Armand is one of his names"
She talked on, mentioning this per.
son in the room and that one; max
ing about each some nonchalantly
sarcastic comment. No allusion to
i